Word: Sidetrack
Part of Speech: Noun and Verb
Basic Definition:
As a Noun: A sidetrack is a short piece of railroad track that is not the main track. It is used for storing trains or allowing other trains to pass by.
As a Verb: To sidetrack means to wander away from the main topic or goal. It refers to not staying focused on what you were supposed to do.
Usage Instructions:
Noun Usage: You can use "sidetrack" when talking about trains or railways, or when discussing plans or conversations that have gone off-topic.
Verb Usage: Use "sidetrack" when describing situations where someone gets distracted or diverted from their main objective.
Example Sentences:
Noun: "The train was put on a sidetrack to allow the freight train to pass."
Verb: "I started talking about my vacation, and that sidetracked us from our original discussion about the project."
Advanced Usage:
Noun: In a more technical context, "sidetrack" can refer to a place where trains are parked while waiting for their turn to use the main track.
Verb: In a business meeting, if someone brings up an unrelated topic, you might say they have sidetracked the conversation.
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
In a broader sense, "sidetrack" can mean to distract someone from their main focus, whether in a conversation, task, or goal.
Synonyms:
For the noun: bypass, siding (in a railway context).
For the verb: distract, divert, wander off, stray.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
"Sidetracked by" is a common phrase used when someone is led away from their main focus. For example, "I was sidetracked by my phone notifications."
There aren’t many specific idioms with "sidetrack," but you can use related phrases like "go off on a tangent" when someone starts discussing something unrelated.
Summary:
The word "sidetrack" can refer to both a specific type of train track and the action of getting distracted from a main topic or goal.